Description
Stop the Bleeding is the debut album by the American thrash/progressive metal band Tourniquet, released on Intense Records in 1990, a division of Frontline Music Group releasing FMG’s industrial/metal output. The album was recorded by Gordon Shumway at both Mixing Lab A and B in Garden Grove, California; with Roger Martinez of Vengeance Rising fame and the band producing. Mixed by Shumway.
On this album the band’s line up consisted of Guy Ritter (vocals), Gary Lenaire (guitar, bass, and vocals), and Ted Kirkpatrick (May 22, 1960 – August 19, 2022) (drums, bass, and vocals – Kirkpatrick actually started as a touring drummer for the doom metal band Trouble in 1987). Almost half of the lead guitars were played by session musician Mark Lewis.
While most musical styles have grown and developed as Christian labels and artists have incorporated them into that broad label we call contemporary Christian music, metal, by and large, has had the largest row to hoe. Christians have suitably sought to harness the music’s qualities for the purpose of sharing the gospel, but have, often due to low budgets, less than acceptable technical proficiency, and more compassion for others than artistic creativity, failed to come across with credibility and style. Often, it’s just so much loud noise.
Current times are seeing a change in this situation. Bands like Stryper, Whitecross, Bloodgood, and Barren Cross have paved the way for bands like Holy Soldier, Vengeance, Zion, Deliverance and now Tourniquet to make credible releases in their own metal niche. Produced by Vengeance leader Roger Martinez, Tourniquet blends classic Gothic lyrics based on scripture, with music that allows creative bursts of energy to accentuate their unique mix of high energy and speed metal. Vocally, Guy Ritter exhibits a broad range, even understandability, while Gary Lenaire, supported by Mark Lewis, plays the guitars that make the music happen. While the mix varies in quality, this is a strong effort from a band that maximizes its strengths.
Lyrically «You get What you Pray For» and «Somnambulism» are the freshest, while all the songs move from the biblical text to the lives and thoughts of Tourniquet’s audience with varying degrees of success. One thought: it is noble to point out from time to time or at the end of a song what scripture lesson was the inspiration for the lyrics, but with as many as 10 to 15 listed in some cases, it seems as though it comes down to just so much proof texting. These guys take what they’re doing seriously, and that is to be applauded, but perhaps if the scripture references were offered in an enclosed Bible study for those who wanted to understand all.
Tourniquet offers a strong debut, with ‘Stop the Bleeding’, adding one more new name to the list of Christian metal that has succeeded in overcoming the obstacles. There’s bound to be a lot more where this came from. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, August 1990]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/stop-the-bleeding-collectors-edition/1522014801)
CD tracklist:
01. The Test For Leprosy – 4:39
02. Ready Or Not – 3:31
03. Ark Of Suffering – 4:16
04. Tears Of Korah – 6:20
05. The Threshing Floor – 4:13
06. You Get What You Pray For – 3:23
07. Swarming Spirits – 3:24
08. Whitewashed Tomb – 4:22
09. Somnambulism – 4:39
10. Harlot Widow And The Virgin Bride – 7:46
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Intense Records. Remastered and independently rereleased on Pathogenic Records in 2001. The rerelease included new artwork, an expanded booklet, and several bonus tracks including demos and live versions featuring Luke Easter on vocals; Ark of Suffering – live 2000 (4:39), The Test for Leprosy – live 2000 (4:19), Whitewashed Tomb – demo 1990 (4:40), Tears of Korah – demo 1990 (6:31), Ark of Suffering – demo 1990 (3:56), Concert Intro – 1999 (4:25). Re-issued on red vinyl by Pathogenic Records and Vinyl Remains in 2011. Available at Bandcamp: https://tourniquet.bandcamp.com/album/stop-the-bleeding
Stop The Bleeding COLLECTOR’S EDITION: https://tourniquet.bandcamp.com/album/stop-the-bleeding-collectors-edition
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